IDOT - US 20 Capacity Bridge Study
.
City Manager's Office
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4864
(319) 589-4110
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January 11, 1999
Mr. Roger Larsen
Project Manager
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames Iowa 50010
Mr. James Moll
Hanson Engineers, Inc.
1525 S. Sixth St.
Springfield, IL 62703
Dear Mr Larsen and Mr. Moll:
This is in response to your December 24, 1998, letter on the scoping process for the
U.S. 20 Capacity Improvement Across the Mississippi River.
The only area I have a comment on is related to system linkage and traffic counts. I
know that a destination study was recently done in Dubuque. One concern I have is
that when Highway 20 is four-lane from Rockford to Interstate 35, and Highway 151 is
four-lane from Madison, Wisconsin to Highway 380 in Cedar Rapids, Highway 20 will
carry many more through trips. This route will be seen as the preferred route west for
Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockford, and the north and northwest areas of
Chicago, Illinois.
I believe your traffic modeling needs to take this into account.
Thank you for soliciting my input.
sincerel:, J IJ, (J/J
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Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
Service
People
Integrity
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Engineers, Architects & Scientists
December 24, 1998
City Manager Michael Van Milligen
City of Dubuque
50 West 13th Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Re: Scoping Process
US. 20 Capacity Improvement Across
the Mississippi River
Dubuque County, Iowa/Jo Daviess County, Illinois
HEI No. 97S2045
Dear Mr. Milligen:
The Iowa Department of Transportation is conducting a study to improve the capacity of US.
Route 20 across the Mississippi River.
Hanson Engineers Incorporated has been retained by the Iowa Department of Transportation
to perform the preliminary engineering studies for the proposed improvement. The studies will address
the environmental and engineering considerations of constructing the project. An Environmental
Impact Statement is anticipated to assess the effects of the action on the environment. The public
involvement process will include public information meetings and a public hearing.
We are initiating the scoping process for this project to provide the opportunity for your
agency to review the project and assist in defining significant environmental factors. A formal scoping
meeting will not be held. Informal coordination and review sessions with interested agencies and
organizations will be scheduled if needed.
To assist in the evaluation of your agency's interest in the project, we have enclosed a scoping
document, please respond in writing or call by January 29, 1999 to:
(1) Mr. Roger Larsen
Project Manager
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, Iowa 50010
Telephone: (515) 239-1791
1525 S. Sixth Sr. . Springfield, IL 62703-2886 · (217) 788-2450 . Fax: (217) 788-2503
L98Dcc24.DOC
Offices nationwide . www.hansonengineers.com
9782045
@ Printed on recycled paper
Enclosure
L98Dec24.DOC
or (2) Mr. James Moll
Project Manager
Hanson Engineers Incorporated
1525 South Sixth Street
Springfield, nIinois 62703-2886
Telephone: (217) 788-2450
Sincerely,
HANSON ENGINEERS INCORPORATED
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Partner
97S204S
* PRINTED ON RECYCLED P....PER
PROJECT APPLICANT:
Submitted By:
PROJECT LOCATION:
PROJECT DATA:
Highway Number:
Type:
Purpose:
Length:
Project Costs:
Project Number:
FEDERAL AGENCY AND
PROGRAM:
Iowa Intergovernmental Review System
LETTER OF INTENT
Iowa Department of Transportation
Dennis Tice, Director
Planning & Programming Division
Dubuque County, Iowa and Jo Daviess County, Illinois
U.S. Route 20
Highway Improvement
Reduce congestion at the existing river crossing (Julien
Dubuque Bridge), accommodate anticipated increases in
traffic volume, and provide the most direct route for traffic
crossing the river.
Approximately six to eight miles
A. Federal Request (80%)
B. State Request (20%)
C. Local and Other Contributions
Total Estimated Project Costs: Costs to be determined
BRF-20-9(149)--38-31
1. Federal Highway Administration
Iowa Department of Transportation
Illinois Department of Transportation
2. Highway Trust Fund
ESTIMATED APPLICATION DATE:
APPLICATION MANAGER:
Intent.DOC
Bruce Matzke, Acting Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
Ames,IA 50010
9782045
SCOPING DOCUMENT
U.S. 20 CAPACITY IMPROVEMENT ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
DUBUQUE COUNTY, lOW AlJO DA VIESS COUNTY, ILLINOIS
INTRODUCTION
This scoping packet has been prepared to aid in determining the scope of issues to be
addressed in the environmental analyses of the proposed capacity improvement for U.S. Route 20
across the Mississippi River between Dubuque, Iowa and East Dubuque, Dlinois. The study area
for this project begins west of US. Route 61 and extends across the Mississippi east to southeast
of the City of East Dubuque, Illinois (see Figure 1). Within this study area, two primary corridors
are available. The southern corridor extends from US. Route 20 west of Dubuque around the
south of the city and connects to US. Route 20 south of East Dubuque. This corridor traverses
primarily rural agricultural lands in Iowa and the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife
Refuge in Illinois before connecting back into U.S. Route 20 at a point about three to four miles
south of East Dubuque. The estimated length of this corridor is about eight miles.
The northern corridor is primarily urban,. and extends from Locust Street in Dubuque to
Barge Terminal Road near the southeast city limits of East Dubuque. This corridor is centered on
the existing Julien Dubuque Bridge which currently carries US. Route 20 across the Mississippi
River. The estimated length of this corridor is about four miles.
This packet is being circulated to initiate the scoping process required of federally funded
projects. A formal scoping meeting is not planned. Comments on this document and requests for
further involvement in the study should be directed to the Iowa Department of Transportation
before January 30, 1999. Comments should be directed to:
Roger Larsen
Project Manager
Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, Iowa 50010
DEVELOPMENT PROCEDURES
This improvement is being developed for federal funding participation. Current
regulations covering development of federally-funded highway improvements require early
coordination with units of government who may have interests in the project or its potential
impacts. This scoping document is intended to provide early notification of the proposed project
and to solicit comments regarding the potential impacts of such an action. Other formal
opportunities to comment on the project will follow at a later date. Some federal, state, and local
agencies will also be contacted directly to request their early input as part of project impact identification process.
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PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROJECT
The purpose of the capacity improvement is to reduce congestion at the existing river
crossing (Julien Dubuque Bridge), accommodate anticipated increases in traffic volume, and
provide the most direct route for traffic crossing the river.
The proposed project is needed to provide system linkage, improve traffic operations,
correct roadway deficiencies, and to provide improved access across the Mississippi River.
System Linka2e
The Iowa Department of Transportation (IADOT) has improved U.S. Route 20 to four
lanes through much of eastern and central Iowa. In addition, significant upgrades have been made
to U.S. Route 61 and U.S. Route 20 in Dubuque. The Illinois Department of Transportation
plans to upgrade U.S. Route 20 to a four lane expressway from East Dubuque to Rockford. This
will result in a four lane freeway/expressway connecting Interstate 380 at Waterloo, Iowa with
Interstates 39 and 90 at Rockford, Illinois. The Julien Dubuque Bridge is a two lane segment in
the center of this 200 mile long, four lane link. In addition, IADOT is currently improving U.S.
Route 61 to four lanes from Dubuque to the quad cities, where it connects to Interstates 80 and
74.
Traffic ODerations
,. .
..
Dubuque and the surrounding area have experienced rapid growth in recent years. Planned
highway improvements in Dubuque including extension of the Northwest Arterial and
construction of the proposed Southwest Arterial will likely encourage additional development.
Developments on the Dubuque riverfront have also served to increase traffic into and through the
central business district. Improvements to U.S. Route 20 outside of Dubuque will likely result in
increased trips across the Mississippi River. The result will be increased traffic congestion at the
bridge.
Roadwav Deficiencies
The existing facility has a number of deficiencies. The existing bridge was completed in
1949. Some of the approach spans were replaced in the early 1990's. The roadway on the
existing bridge is 28 feet wide face to face of barriers. There is no shoulder to provide for errant
or disabled vehicles. Six to 10 foot wide shoulders would be required to meet current design
criteria.
The roadway tapers from four lanes to two lanes at the east and west approaches to the
bridge. The east approach has very short entrance and exit ramps with very tight curves and poor
sight distance.
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The age of the existing bridge, coupled with high traffic volumes, results in a need for
frequent maintenance. The main span will continue to have high maintenance costs. It is
necessary to close one lane of traffic to inspect the bridge, resulting in further impacts to traffic
flow.
Social Demands
The existing bridge provides the primary link between Illinois and the employment, retail
and recreational attractions of Dubuque. Major barge terminals are located at each end of the
bridge. Rail facilities are also located at each end of the bridge. Capacity improvements are
necessary to maintain quality access to these intermodal facilities. .
Residents in East Dubuque and Jo Daviess County rely on Dubuque for medical facilities.
There is no hospital or emergency care facility in East Dubuque. Most of the ambulance service
for East Dubuque originates in Dubuque. The existing bridge is a vital link in providing these
emergency services. Improvements to the river crossing would assure future access to these
facilities for East Dubuque residents.
Transportation Demand
The Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transportation Study has included a four lane
improvement of U.S. Route 20 across the Mississippi River in their transportation plan adopted in
January 1995. .
Lesdslation
The Transportation Efficiency Act for the 21 st Century (TEA-21) included the capacity
improvement of U.S. 20 at the Mississippi River as a high priority project. Funding of$28 million
was included in TEA-21.
PROPOSED ACTION
The proposed action is to provide additional capacity on U.S. Route 20 across the
Mississippi River. Alternatives to be considered for providing additional capacity include the no
action alternative, providing a new four lane bridge at the current bridge location, providing a new
two lane bridge adjacent to the existing bridge to serve as a one-way couple, or providing a new
four lane crossing south of the existing bridge and south of the urban areas of Dubuque and East
Dubuque.
A Location Report and an environmental document (anticipated to be an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS)) will be prepared in accordance with IADOT and Federal guidance
including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Public informational meetings will be
held during the project to present the project status and receive input from the public. A public
hearing will be held following publication of the Draft EIS.
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AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT
Planning for this project will focus on minimizing impacts while providing a system to
meet the transportation needs which have been identified. Potential impacts which have been
identified for this project include natural resource impacts, cultural resource impacts, impacts to
4(f) resources, socioeconomic impacts, and impacts from contaminated sites. No adverse air
quality impacts are anticipated.
Natural resources within the study area will be identified through records research and
field surveys. Given the urban nature of the northern corridor, it is unlikely that significant natural
resources are present in most of the corridor. However, any realignment of U.S. Route 20 in East
Dubuque could impact floodplains, wetlands and riparian habitat. The southern corridor crosses
the Upper Mississippi River Fish and Wildlife Refuge, and would be expected to have a greater
impact on natural resources.
Wetlands which may be impacted will be identified based on u.s. Fish and Wildlife
Service National Wetland Inventory maps (NWI), Natural Resources Conservation Service
wetland maps, hydric soils maps and aerial photographs. All potential wetland areas within the
preferred alternative will be determined and delineated in accordance with the 1987 Corps of
Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual.
National Register sites, structures arid districts and areas of prior archaeological surveys
will be identified through review of the records of the Illinois and Iowa Archaeological Surveys.
Once a preferred alternative has been selected, a Phase I cultural resources survey will be
conducted for the area of potential disturbance. Potentially significant archaeological sites
identified in the Phase I survey may be recommended for Phase IT investigations. Standing
structures which would be affected will be inventoried. Structures predating 1940 may be
evaluated for their potential historical and architectural significance based on the criteria
established for the National Register of Historic Places.
Section 4(f) resources will be identified through coordination with appropriate resource
agencies. Formal coordination under Section 4(f) may be initiated as soon as a potential adverse
impact to these resources is identified.
Socioeconomic impacts may occur through relocation of residences and businesses, tax
losses to public taxing bodies from land acquisition, access changes, induced development from
improved transportation, and direct and indirect impacts of project construction. It is probable
that any alternative which would satisfy the project purpose and need would result in residential
and business displacements.
The northern corridor traverses areas of Dubuque and East Dubuque that have been in
industrial use for over 100 years. The environmental surveys will likely include evaluation of all
properties to be acquired under the preferred alternative. Additional, intrusive investigations may
be conducted for properties which are potentially contaminated.
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SCHEDULE
This study was initiated in November 1998. Background data for the Study Area have
been collected and potential alignment corridors within the Study Area identified. In addition, an
origin and destination study has been conducted to identify the nature and desired destination of
traffic currently using the Julien Dubuque Bridge. Based on data obtained from that study,
preliminary assessments of potential impacts and costs, and input received from this scoping
process, it is expected that the study will be focused on one corridor, and that multiple
alternatives within that corridor will be selected for additional study. Additional opportunities to
comment on the project will be available during periodic public informational meetings and during
the public comment period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
,. .
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.
. u.s. 20 Capacity Improvement across the Mississippi River
Dubuque County, Iowa, to Jo Daviess County, Illinois
Figure 1
DUbuque Metropolitan Area
Transportation Study
~.. Iowa Department
~., of Transportation
~ ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION
In This Issue
What is the U.S. 20 study?
What are the project stages?
CAPACllY IMPROVEMENT OF U.S. 20 ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIvER
Meet your project team
This is yourconnection:,
Here is your first edition of The U.S.
20 Connection, a newsletter prepared by
the Iowa Department of Transportation
and Hanson Engineers Inc. ,
Hanson Engineers, a national
engineering, architectural and scientific
consulting f'rrm headquartered in. ..~
Springfield, Ill., has been retained to "
conduct a study of capacity improvements
for U.S. 20 across the Mississippi River.
This edition is the first of five
newsletters you may receive during this
study. The purPose ofthisnewsletter is
to provide you with up-ta-date informa-
tion about the study and to answer your
questions. You will receive upcoming
issues of The U.S. 20 Connection in the
mail if you sign in at any of the public
meetings, or if you contact the project
team to add your name to the mailing list.
. " 'We hav planned three public
information'~ ....... done public ','
hearing. e Wl announce upcoming
public m . .', if, media and in '
this newsletter
, If you have any questIons, sugges-
tions for articles, infoTniation for the" '
study team, Or if you want toadd your
name to the mailin list, lea tact:
U.S. 20 Capacity Improvement
P.O. Box 852,' " .::. ;
Dubuque, IA 52004-0852 , '
Phone: (319) 585-0127
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Southwest "
Arterial
61
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,
Study Area
Anticipated growth prompts study
In recent years, Dubuque, East Dubuque
and surrounding areas have experienced rapid
growth. Developments on the Dubuque
riverfront have also increased traffic in and
through the central business districts.
Extension of the Northwest Arterial and the
planned Southwest Arterial may lead to
additional development of this area.
The Iowa Department of Transportation
has expanded U.S. 20 to four lanes through
much of eastern and central Iowa to accom-
modate this area's existing and future traffic
needs. The Iowa DOT has also improved U.S.
61 and the U.S. 20/Locust Street intersection
in Dubuque.
The Illinois Department of Transporta-
tion plans to upgrade U.S. 20 to a four-lane
road from East Dubuque to Rockford, Ill.
Continued upgrades to U.S. 20 will
improve the roadway but may also increase
traffic and congestion on the two-lane Julien
Dubuque Bridge-restricting traffic flow
along an otherwise 200-mile, four-lane
expressway.
November
Connection
What is the U.S. 20 study?
This study will help the Iowa Department
of Transportation and other agencies identify
ways to improve U.S. 20's capacity to handle
increasing volumes of traffic, specifically on
and near the Julien Dubuque Bridge.
A total of $28 million has been appropri-
ated by Congress for this improvement project
with the passage of the Transportation Equity
Act for the 21 st century (TEA-21). This bill,
signed into law in June 1998, designated $198
billion in federal funds to transportation
projects nationwide over the next six years.
During this study, the project team will
investigate various alternatives in an area
between the proposed Southwest Arterial and
the existing Julien Dubuque Bridge. The
project team will then recommend one
alternative that best achieves the purpose of the
project and minimizes the impact to property
owners and the environment.
Here are some of the questions Hanson
Engineers will address:
. Should the proposed improvement be
constructed?
. If so, what type of improvement should it
be?
. How should a proposed improvement
connect to other roads and streets in the
area?
. How will the proposed improvement
affect adjacent properties and the
community as a whole?
After completing the study, the project
team will detail its findings in a report and an
environmental impact statement.
To see how this study will progress, please
refer to the t10wchart shown on the right.
Study divided into three stages
The study, which began in October
1998, is expected to take 30 months to
complete. The study has been divided into
three stages:
1. Preliminary alternative selection- The
project team will review several improve-
ment alternatives, and will select
alternatives which merit further investiga-
tion. Two public informational meetings
2
Connection
Issue I
and two newsletters are anticipated during
this stage of the study.
2. Detailed study of selected alternatives-
During this stage, the project team will
conduct in-depth studies of the alterna-
tives selected during stage I. We
anticipate one public informational
meeting and two newsletters during this
stage of the study.
3. Recommendation and final docu-
ments-The project team will present its
recommendation and documents at a
public hearing. After the public has
reviewed results from the study, the
coordinating agencies will select one
alternative using engineering, environ-
mental and socio-economic consider-
ations. The team will prepare one project
newsletter during this stage to announce
the recommended alternative.
Traffic study begins
One of the first steps in any transporta-
tion study is identifying the existing condi-
tions. To determine how the Dubuque bridge
is currently being used, members of the
project team conducted an origin and
destination survey at the Dubuque terminus
on Nov. 10, 1998. The survey. which was
distributed at the U.S. 20 and Locust Street
Definitions
Abutment - The end foundation upon which
the bridge superstructure rests.
Alignment - The path a road follows.
Approach span - The horizontal segments of
a bridge leading up to the main spans.
At-grade intersection - Two intersecting
roads with stop signs or signals for traffic
control.
Average daily traffic - The average number
of vehicles using a road over a 24-hour
period.
Capacity - The number of vehicles a road
can accommodate.
Cultural resources - Any prehistoric or
historic district, archaeological or
historic site, building. structure, or object
included in or eligible for inclusion in
the National Register of Historic Places.
Deck - The floor or roadway of a bridge.
Easement - An acquired right to use land by
someone other than the legal owner for a
specific period of time or permanently.
Approach spans
intersection, consisted of seven questions
printed on a prepaid postcard.
Questions included where the trip began
and where it would end, and whether a return
trip would be made across the bridge that day.
Other information about intermediate stops
and trip purposes were also included in the
survey.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - A
report documenting the significant
environmental impacts of alternative
transportation improvements under
consideration. The EIS analyzes ways to
avoid impacts and how to minimize those
impacts that cannot be avoided.
Grade separation - A road that goes over or
under another road or railroad without
connecting to the road or railroad being
crossed. An example of a grade separa-
tion is Third Street over Highway 61.
Interchange - Similar to a grade separation
except that the road being crossed is
connected to the road going over it.
Common interchange types include the
diamond, the clover leaf. the partial
cloverleaf and the trumpet. An example
of a diamond interchange is Grandview
Avenue at Highway 61.
Main span - The horizontal segments of a
bridge that cross the navigational
channel.
1<
Main span
This data is extremely important because
it provides an accurate picture of how the
bridge affects travel patterns in Dubuque. Not
only does this let us more accurately identify
the impact of making changes to the transpor-
tation system at the bridge, but it also gives us
insight into the potential social and economic
impacts of these changes.
Pile - A long column made of steel, concrete
or timber, driven into the ground,
sometimes under the water, to support a
bridge.
Pier - The main support for the interior part of
the bridge. Piers may be solid concrete
walls or a concrete cap supported by
columns.
Right-oC-way - The land secured and reserved
for the public for roads, sidewalks,
utilities, etc.
Substructure - The vertical. or supporting
parts of the bridge-the piers and
abutments.
Superstructure - The horizontal parts of the
bridge-the part that spans the river.
Wetland - An area that is wet for a period
long enough to support plants adapted
for saturated soil conditions. Wetlands
are important for storm water retention,
threatened and endangered species'
habitat, soil retention, and removal of
harmful chemicals from surface and
ground water supplies.
.,
November
Connection
3
.
Meet your project team
The project team consists of several
governmental agencies including the
following:
. City of Dubuque;
. City of East Dubuque;
. Dubuque County;
. Dubuque Metropolitan Area Transporta-
tion Study;
. Illinois Department of Transportation;
. Iowa Department of Transportation; and
. 10 Daviess County.
The Iowa Department of Transportation
heads the project team with assistance from
Hanson Engineers. Hanson Engineers will
have primary responsibility for engineering
and environmental studies.
To gain a better understanding of the
project area and the communities' needs,
Hanson Engineers has teamed with IIW
Engineers and Surveyors Inc. of Dubuque,
~.... Iowa Department
~, of Transportation
~HANSON
~~~~,IJ~HoRS
U.S. 20 Capacity Improvement
Across the Mississippi River
P.O. Box 852
Dubuque, IA 52004-0852
4
Connection
Issue 1
Iowa. IIW is responsible for data collection,
surveying and drainage analysis.
The team also includes the following:
Crawford, Bunte, Brammeier-St. Louis,
Mo. Crawford, Bunte, Brammeier will
provide traffic analysis during this study. They
will determine where traffic is coming from
and where it is going. They will also project
how much traffic may use the various
alternatives 20 years in the future.
Leah Rogers-Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Leah
Rogers will conduct the cultural resource
studies to identify significant historic and
prehistoric sites. Sites may consist of old
buildings, cemeteries, or Indian campsites.
The Countryman Group-Iowa City, Iowa.
The Countryman Group will determine what
economic impacts the various alternatives will
have on the study area. They will evaluate
impacts on residents and businesses.
Martinez Corp.-St. Paul, Minn. Martinez
Corp. will provide aerial photography. The
project team will use the aerial photographs to
layout road alignments and to display at the
public meetings.
Your involvement is
important
Your input is important to us. Your
feedback will help us identify the best
solution to meet your community's transporta-
tion needs.
If you have any questions or comments
throughout this study, please fill out the
comment forms provided at the public
meetings, call the project phone line at
(3 19) 585-0127 or visit ?ur Web site at
www.us20.com.
We look forward to hearing from you and
to receiving your feedback.